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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Results
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Lee Yuri's Taunt Skill.
"Resonance of the Shield"
An ability that forcibly draws the opponent's attacks by striking her shield.
Facing her as an enemy, it was certainly more than just annoying.
'Seriously, it's an absurdly overpowered skill.'
Among boss characters, only a few can move freely without being affected by her taunt skill.
Of course, for a chapter boss, the taunt wears off quickly, but...
Even so, considering that a single tank can absorb a boss's area-of-effect attack, which could endanger the entire party, it's needless to say how ridiculously powerful this skill is.
So, with Baek Seol-hee's advice, I meticulously planned a strategy to counter Lee Yuri in this group match.
— An ability that draws attention by infusing magic into the sound of her shield... In that case, physically blocking our ears should help.
That's why I completely gave up on real-time command this time and had all party members wear earplugs to block their hearing.
Instead, through repeated training, I made sure they could move as planned even without my direct orders.
— If it's an ability that draws attention, then it would be best to attack with our eyes closed. But who can do that...?
— I can.
And so, Kang Do-hee fought against one of the enemy damage dealers with her eyes completely closed.
— Shin Se-hee, the information you gave me. Is it reliable?
— Oh, something I discarded... Did you see that?
— Yeah, is this definite?
— Of course. Please don't underestimate my information-gathering skills.
— Then, this time, you won't use magic.
— Yes... Yes!?
Shin Se-hee's magic efficiency is drastically reduced when fighting against Gukbap anyway.
Plus, with the magic-restricting shackles she's wearing, it's practically worse than not using it at all.
'The characters I'd recommended to Lee Yuri were just early-game flashes in the pan, so I'd forgotten all the detailed info, but Shin Se-hee's intel proved vital.'
After reviewing the information she provided, I calculated that Shin Se-hee could sufficiently handle the enemy healers and supporters with her physical abilities.
'She's a 4-star character, even if it kills her.'
Since her magic efficiency is already reduced because of Gukbap, if she can overpower them physically, isn't that the right approach?
This was the exact opposite strategy from the previous group match, where I dealt with the enemies while Kang Do-hee drew their attention.
A strategy where I drew attention, Kang Do-hee handled the damage dealers, and Shin Se-hee took care of the enemy supporters and healers!
Lee Yuri turned around with a look of dismay, then bit her lip.
Her supporting healers and supporters were locked in a brawl with Shin Se-hee, making it impossible for them to use skills on her.
The damage dealer, who could have turned the tide, was also being handled by Kang Do-hee.
Meanwhile, she must have known she couldn't face me alone.
'So, what's she going to do now?'
I stared intently at Lee Yuri.
"Ha, so this was your plan? As expected, you're amazing, Jin Yuha."
Realizing the situation, she let out a hollow laugh.
"So, are you giving up?"
"Never. Still, I have to at least struggle."
Clang—!
Lee Yuri parried my sword with her shield, then gripped it tighter, her eyes hardening.
Whoosh—
Magic swirled around her, forming a deep blue aura.
The rising wind caused her black hair to flutter.
Seeing that, I couldn't help but widen my eyes.
'Huh, this effect...?'
A wave of magic swirled around her.
Gleam—
A strange light appeared in her eyes.
She lowered her body, solidifying her defensive stance with her shield pointed towards me.
Then, with a pale face, she bit her lip.
The fist gripping her shield trembled slightly.
"...Ugh—!"
Lee Yuri groaned as if in pain.
'A new skill...?'
I knew this skill.
"Shield of Sacrifice"
A skill that allows her to absorb a portion of her party members' damage for a certain period.
Lee Yuri, having learned this skill, became infamous in PVP, treated like a cockroach because of her resilience.
'She learned this *now*...?'
Shudder—
A shiver ran down my spine.
I couldn't help but stare at her with a surprised expression.
And for good reason.
To learn this skill, Lee Yuri's shield specialization needed to advance one more stage beyond its initial rank, but...
She hadn't invested any resources to raise her specialization, unlike me.
In other words, she raised her specialization by one stage *solely* through training!
And before even enrolling.
'Are you seriously insane?'
I knew how difficult this was.
Even in the original world, there were more than a few veterans who challenged *VelvetSra* aiming to reach the ending without using any special opportunities or items.
But the result... was always failure.
'So I thought I'd have to somehow struggle and push through with my body, the only one in this world that had resources invested in it...'
Hope.
I could see hope in Lee Yuri.
If she could grow this quickly just through training, without investing resources...
Thinking of the future, the corners of my mouth naturally curled upwards.
'Ha, she's truly reliable, this one.'
The time I accidentally found Gukbap on a hunter website and followed her into a dungeon.
Perhaps, that was my best choice.
Of course.
That didn't mean the tide would turn.
Cough—!
Lee Yuri knelt on one knee, coughing and spitting blood.
Because the current Lee Yuri didn't have enough health to absorb all her party members' damage by herself.
"Tch, still no good, huh..."
She lifted her head, met my eyes, and grinned.
"Still, seeing your expression... it makes the training worthwhile."
She continued, her voice strained.
"Hey, Jin Yuha."
"..."
"How am I? Am I someone your party needs?"
Her asking if she was needed? I let out a hollow laugh.
I nodded at her, answering with a confident voice.
"...Always have been, and now, absolutely."
Haha—!
Lee Yuri let out a relieved laugh.
"Good. I'll join your party. I'll be your party's tank. I'll be the shield that protects you."
Whoosh—
With those words, Lee Yuri was teleported out of the training arena.
"...Ugh, this isn't going to work. I should've listened when the captain told us to be careful of men. We surrender!"
"Me too... For Cheonhwa to use her fists, isn't that too cheap?"
"M-me too... *Pant, pant*—."
And the opponents, after Lee Yuri's departure, immediately declared their surrender.
The referee's voice then announced:
"With Lee Yuri's party's surrender, the public spar is a victory for Jin Yuha's party."
* * *
Waaaaahhhhhhh—!!!
*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap*—!!!!
Though those remaining in the grand hall were only about a third of the total preliminary students,
they all rose from their seats, clapping like thunder and letting out cheers.
The massive grand hall echoed without a single empty space.
I turned my head around, looking bewildered.
'Huh...'
I had been so focused on the match with Lee Yuri that I hadn't even thought about other people's reactions.
"Kyaaaahhh!"
As I shifted my gaze to the stands, shrill screams reached my ears.
"You're so cool!"
"So handsome!!!"
"Jin Yuha! Jin Yuha! Jin Yuha!"
"Oppa—!!! Take meee!!!!!"
Recognition directed at me, not at Cheonhwa or Tugyeon.
Up until now, I had been ignored, dismissed as just a quota student.
But the performance I showed this time seemed to have changed their perception, even if just a little.
I had tried to tell myself it was okay, that the previous disregard was directed at Jin Yuha, not me, but perhaps that wasn't the case.
A stirring, ticklish feeling in my chest.
Feeling a bit awkward, I scratched my cheek.
"Cock on the cliff!"
'Which bastard said that?'
It sounded like something strange was mixed in just now.
Just as I turned my head to find the owner of that voice.
Tap.
Baek Seol-hee stepped onto the arena with a proud expression.
"Student Jin Yuha."
"Ah, yes."
"You've grown."
Her words were likely about skills. I had gained a small insight during the spar.
"Thanks to you, Instructor, I was able to win this spar. And gain insight."
I nodded and replied.
"No, this time it's thanks to that girl. Is that the one you had your eye on?"
Baek Seol-hee glanced towards the opposing side.
There, Lee Yuri was sitting on the floor, surrounded by her party members.
"Yes, she's my party's tank."
I said with a chuckle.
"Indeed, a good tank. I look forward to her future performance."
"Yes."
Baek Seol-hee nodded, then spoke to me and my party members.
"Then, Party Leader Jin Yuha and your party members, follow me now."
"...Huh?"
The spar's over, where are we going?
Baek Seol-hee, as if reading the question in my eyes, said:
"Since you've won the group spar, shouldn't you receive your reward?"
Ah. It seemed there was a reward for the winner of this spar too.
But don't they usually give it out right where you win?
"We're going to the Headmistress's office."
Huh?
The Headmistress's office?
'So, I'll meet *that* person even before enrollment?'
* * *
We followed Baek Seol-hee to the Clock Tower in the main building.
The tallest building within the academy.
A dreamlike space where long windows filled the walls, and dense magic seemed to visibly drift through the air.
The Headmistress's office.
There, we met her.
A living legend who made Velvet Academy known as the world's best hunter training facility.
The Demon Empress, Rina.
"Welcome, preliminary students. I am Rina, the Headmistress of Velvet Academy."
She spoke with a solemn expression before us, but...
I couldn't help but recall her nickname internally.
'Little Brat...'